Call Number:

RG5.168

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Extent:

2 linear ft. (4 boxes)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item or series here], RG5/168, Walker-Stephens Family Papers, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Date:

1850-1919 (inclusive)

Creator:

William Walker Stephens (1824-1902), American Protective League, Stephens, Hannah W., 1797-1881, Stephens, Annie R., 1839-1915, and Anderson, J. Aubrey

Form:

Diaries

Abstract:

William Walker Stephens (1824-1902) was the son of Hannah Walker and Stephen Stephens of Chester Valley, Pennsylvania. The family were members of Valley Preparative and Radnor Monthly Meetings of Friends. William Walker Stephens worked as a businessman in Philadelphia and was married three times. His relation, J. Aubrey Anderson, was district attorney in Conshohocken, Pa. Papers include the diaries and day books of Hannah W. Stephens, 1857-1864, William W. Stephens, 1850-1902, and Annie R. Stephens, 1903. Also includes the account book of William W. Stephens, and the correspondence of J. Aubrey Anderson, chief of the Norristown division of the American Protective League, concerning their investigations.

Hannah Walker, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Walker, married Stephen Stephens, son of Stephen and Sarah (McVaugh) Stephens, Feb. 16, 1820. The families were members of Valley Preparative Meeting, which was under the care of Radnor Monthly Meeting. Stephen and Hannah Walker Stephens lived much of their married life on a farm in Chester Valley. They had five children. The third child was William Walker Stephens, born in 1824 in Willistown, Pa. His diaries make up the majority of this collection. His first wife, Joanna J., a non-Quaker, died March 23rd, 1852, aged 23, possibly in childbirth. They had two children, William May (1851-1866) and a daughter Joie, born in 1852, who married William Stephens. His second wife, Rebecca Taylor, died March 29, 1860, aged 28. They had a daughter Sarah, who married Nathan R. Walker. His third wife was Annie Rhodes, whom he married in an Episcopal Church Feb. 4, 1886.

William was disciplined for marrying out of unity and for joining another society by Radnor MM (Orthodox) in 1851. In 1852 Radnor MM (Hicksite) disciplined him for marrying out of unity as well, but he was not disowned. In 1882 William transferred his membership from Radnor MM (H) to Philadelphia MM (H). He was reported for marrying out of unity in 1886 but again was not disowned. He attended Girard Avenue Meeting and was buried at Valley Friends' Burial Ground, where many Stephens are buried.

As a young man, William moved to Philadelphia and was sent by T. C. Colket to Corning, NY, to manage some coal interests. He returned to Philadelphia and was made chief clerk of the Chestnut and Walnut streets car system. He was Secretary and Treasurer of the Germantown and Norristown Railway. He was residing at 2035 N. 15th Street, Philadelphia, at the time of his death. This collection also contains material of some indirect descendants. J. Aubrey Anderson married Lidie Walker McFarland, the niece of Sarah (Stephens) Walker. J. Aubrey Anderson was D.A. in Conshohocken, Pa. His wife Lidie was an overseer of Valley Meeting and founded the Gulph Mills Library with her sister Mary Cutler in 1933.

Papers include the diaries and day books of Hannah W. Stephens, 1857-1864, William W. Stephens, 1850-1902, and Annie R. Stephens, 1903. Also includes the account book of William W. Stephens, and the correspondence of J. Aubrey Anderson, Chief of the Norristown division of the American Protective League, concerning their investigations.

The collection is divided into four series:

1. Correspondence
2. Diaries
3. Business and Financial
4. Miscellaneous